RS17-19

SEASON FIVE

What do machine learning, data analytics, and freight visibility all have in common? They're all highlighted in this special season, featuring some of the most dynamic RoadSigns guests yet. How will machine learning enhance transportation software? How can fleets navigate the path ahead for data analytics and ELDs? These questions and more are all answered in Season Five of RoadSigns.

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SEASON FOUR

"Is everything moving according to plan?" Supply chain managers in charge of procuring, shipping, storing, and managing those items find themselves fighting against the clock - constantly. Items deteriorate. Items are exposed to risk. Technologies purport to help manage both inventory and transit, help respond to customers, help increase transparency. This season of Road Signs focuses on our ability to see freight from all points along the supply chain.

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SEASON THREE

This season, RoadSigns turns to the business side of commercial freight. Its mission: to understand more about the microeconomic conditions that pressure bottom lines and learn more about how top decision makers and creative entrepreneurs alleviate those pressures and find new ways to allocate some very scarce resources (like fuel and capacity).

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SEASON INTERCESSION

Policy and Donald Trump. In this season of RoadSigns, we visit Capitol Hill to see what Congress is doing for infrastructure, mean while in California the first real electric ecosystem is established. Guest host Dan Ronan wonders, could what's happening at the ports of Southern California have consequences for the way the rest of the nations experiences an electric future?

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SEASON ONE

Autonomy, electrification, and blockchain discoveries are the main theme of Season One of RoadSigns. In our pilot season, we find that new technologies are at the doorstep of the trucking industry promising to change the traditional system, improve freight efficiency, streamline business process, and help alleviate some really big pains.

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Exploring the trends and technologies that are shaping the future of trucking.

RS63 | 18mins

Roundabout: 2021 Mid-Year Review

Could this be the trucking industry’s roaring ‘20s? Business is booming - thanks, in part, to a huge slew of new, innovative technologies finally coming online. Cold storage. Autonomous. Electric. Machine Learning. Once the key descriptors associated with a far-off future have, in six months, become part integral to this phenomenal success. In this episode, we analyze this boom in all of its parts. And, along with host Mike Freeze, we begin to wonder what’s next? Will the boom continue? Tune in to see what's in store for the rest of 2021.

RS62 | 19mins

Tire Inflation Technology: TPMS or ATIS?

How do you care for your tires? In this episode, host Michael Freeze sets out to answer tire inflation questions all fleet owners should be asking to protect their tires and, essentially, their business. Like, what factors should fleets consider when investing in systems like tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS)? And where do these systems take the industry in the future, especially when talking about maintenance and fuel economy?

RS61 | 28mins

How is the E-commerce Boom Reshaping Logistics?

Over the past 15 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered our way of life in many ways. Rather than visiting the mall or brick-and-mortar retail stores, consumers have turned instead to online shopping. This shift toward e-commerce has created new buying habits, as well as new challenges for the supply chain. In this episode, we explore these changing habits and how they are altering the logistics business with a guest who is right in the middle of this field.

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SEASON TWO

Upgrade in progress. New technologies are increasingly accessible -- and in some cases required -- for trucking businesses. This season of RoadSigns takes a look at the very real technologies most likely to effect business operations this year. What is it like to cope in moments of technological transition? How does a business effectively shed old ways of doing things? Where will that business find new efficiencies, first?

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SEASON SIX

This season, we take RoadSigns on the road to some of the industry's biggest trade shows. There, we discover transportation is becoming increasingly connected with more sensors, more data and more insights to help trucking and logistics providers operate more efficiently. We also cover the special topic of workplace inclusion and how a more diverse leadership team can create a competitive advantage in business.

22MINS

RS23: ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT

Thanks to the provocative predictions about our connected future, RoadSigns guests presented listeners with a pretty surprising picture of trucking and freight transportation. In this episode, we reflect on those themes and interviews from 2019. Host Seth Clevenger gives fresh commentary on the industry-wide transition to ELD, expansion of tracking and freight visibility technology, and the clarity you need to tackle truck tech's most complicated issues in the new year. Join us.

28 MINS

RS27: WHAT LIES AHEAD ON THE ROAD TO ELECTRIC TRUCKS?

In this episode, we’re going to take a fresh look at the road ahead for electric-powered commercial vehicles… How soon will electrification truly take hold of trucking, and in what applications? And what are the obstacles that early adopters will need to overcome? Join Seth Clevenger in Las Vegas, from the show floor of CES 2020, as he interviews Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt chief engineer, and Chris Nordh, senior director of advanced vehicle technology and energy products at Ryder System.

36 MINS

RS24: ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT: Automated Trucking

41 MINS

RS25: ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT: Automated Trucking Part II

Over the last few years, we've seen a great deal of investment in self-driving technology for commercial trucks. But what about trucking automation designed to support the driver rather than replace the driver? In past episodes, TuSimple Chief Product Officer Chuck Price and Pronto.ai co-founder and COO Ognen Stojanovski presented RoadSigns listeners with competing visions for automated trucks. Join us for Part II of our investigation of autonomous trucking, and put the machine-to-driver reality in the clearest view.

39 MINS

WHAT WILL THE RISE OF 5G MEAN FOR TRUCKING?

There's a lot of hype around 5G. Whether it be phone service or supply chain visibility, 5G wireless networks promise greater bandwidth, faster speeds and improved reliability – all of which could help accelerate the expansion of onboard sensors and connected devices on commercial trucks and trailers. At the same time, the supply chain disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the importance of telematics and freight visibility technology.

31 MINS

RS26: WHAT DID CES 2020 REVEAL ABOUT THE FUTURE OF TRUCKING?

What was trucking doing at 2020 CES? This is the question that drives host Seth Clevenger to Las Vegas and the event formerly known for crazy consumer gadgets. There, he meets Rich Mohr, chief technology officer for Ryder Fleet Management Solutions, and Stephan Olsen, general manager of the PACCAR Innovation Center. Listen in as these innovators help him see how high tech the industry has become, and how you can prepare for this new age of trucking.

44 MINS

RS30: IS IT TIME FOR FLEETS TO ACCELERATE REPLACEMENT CYCLES FOR ONBOARD TECH?

Much of the trucking industry continues to rely on older onboard technology for mission-critical functions such as electronic logging of driver hours of service. This reliance on legacy systems can hurt reliability and efficiency, particularly with the sunsetting of 3G networks. So, is it time for fleets and their technology vendors to implement faster replacement cycles for onboard tech? How soon will fleets need to make this transition?

26 MINS

RS29: WHO WILL REPAIR THE TRUCKS OF TOMORROW?

Driver recruiting and turnover have been persistent challenges for trucking companies, but the industry is also struggling to attract a new generation of technicians to maintain and repair the increasingly high-tech trucks that move the nation’s freight. What's next? Will maintenance shops finally find ways to revolutionize recruiting? To answer these questions, Seth Clevenger sits with the two people most-focused on the new technician hunt.

36 MINS

RS28: WHAT CAN PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS REVEAL ABOUT DRIVER SAFETY?

Driver safety is paramount for trucking companies, but determining which drivers are most likely to be involved in a crash is no simple task. As it taps into a variety of data sources, predictive analytics software helps to reduce the guesswork. What will this technology reveal? How will it help us mine data and discover behavior patterns in drivers? To get answers, Seth Clevenger turns to the data guys. In this episode, he talks with Hayden Cardiff, CEO of Idelic, and Ashim Bose, chief data scientist at Omnitracs.

30 MINS

RS31: HOW ARE TEST DRIVERS PAVING THE WAY FOR TRUCK PLATOONING?

Two trucks travel together in a tight formation on the highway, linked by connected vehicle technology. When the driver of the lead truck brakes, the following truck automatically follows suit. The two move synchronously along a route, maintaining close proximity and securing improved fuel economy. Test drivers now at the helm of these truck platoons say the experience is a lot like using adaptive cruise control on steroids.

39 MINS

RS32: HOW IS SUPPLY CHAIN VISIBILITY EASING LOGISTICS CHALLENGES AMID THE COV-19 CRISIS?

COVID-19 has been a wake-up call to many businesses and their ability to mobilize rapidly, set up crisis management mechanisms, and build the supply chain resilience that will see them through to the other side. So, what can the supply chain do when disaster strikes? How can fleets, shippers, and 3PLs better prepare for volatile freight demand? In this episode, we find that knowledge is essential.

35 MINS

RS33: HOW ARE TRUCKING COMPANIES WEATHERING THE CORONAVIRUS STORM?

There is no playbook for navigating the COVID-19 crisis. Yet, open communication and access to a virtual work place can ease the transition to a remote environment and help ensure that essential freight arrives on time. But what about those who can't work from home? What about the front line drivers? How can trucking companies adjust their operations to ensure that essential freight keeps moving while protecting their workers?

37 MINS

HOW ARE LOGISTICS COMPANIES MANAGING DISRUPTION DURING COV-19 PANDEMIC?

COVID-19 has placed significant strain on many freight networks. While some businesses ground to a halt, others raced to meet demand spikes. So how are third-party logistics providers adapting to meet these challenges? And how will this crisis change supply chains in the long run? To get answers, Seth Clevenger chats with two 3PL (third-party logistics) executives who have had first-hand experience contending with this crisis.

22 MINS

ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT: TRUCKING'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

If you're in the transportation industry, you know that COVID-19 has changed the rules of business. New sanitation processes, social distancing measures, and proper hygiene methods now inform everyday processes. At the same time, the pandemic has disrupted supply chains and created market volatility. So, we ask, how are businesses performing under this new work environment?

31 MINS

HOW CAN FLEETS GET A BETTER HANDLE ON SPEEDING?

Higher speeds can ultimately translate to higher insurance claims. Safety is crucial to any fleet operation, and speeding is a key factor that can contribute to costly crashes. So how can fleet managers harness technology to get a better handle on vehicle speed and improve their safety culture? Host Seth Clevenger brings in Mathieu Boivin, president and CEO of E-Smart and Jonathan Hubbard, CEO at SpeedGauge, to discuss how a fleet's speed management practices can impact both driver safety and risk management strategies .

28 MINS

HOW ARE STATE GOVERNMENTS HANDLING REGULATORY ISSUES SO FAR IN 2021?

On May 25, 2021, five individuals pled guilty to staging two accidents in New Orleans with tractor-trailers in 2017, while obtaining fraudulent financial settlements totaling more than $282,000. Such settlements are crushing for businesses, and have carried monetary burden. The threat to businesses has increased, as those implicated faced questions about safety and spiked insurance rates. In this episode we ask, is the situation surrounding fraudulent settlements getting worse or better in 2021? To get answers, host Michael Freeze talks with Transport Topics government reporters, Eric Miller and Eleanor Lamb about what industry leaders are doing to combat lawsuit abuse. Tune in.

40 MINS

HOW IS CONNECTED-VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMING FLEET MANAGEMENT?

35 MINS

ELECTRIC IS COMING, BUT WHAT ARE TRUCKING'S OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO DIESEL?

In this episode we find that other alternatives, such as natural gas and propane, offer balance and help us widen our view of trucking's future. To find out more about alternative fuels, host Seth Clevenger talks with Chad Lindholm, vice president of natural gas provider Clean Energy, and Stuart Weidie, president of a nationwide propane autogas fueling network, Alliance Autogas. Tune in.

28 MINS

WD1: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO TRAIN A CLASS 8 TECHNICIAN?

New approaches to diesel technician recruitment and retention may help you secure the best possible hires and secure your business investments. So, we ask, what are fleets doing to help attract that talent to join the changing workforce environment? Have tech training schools discovered the secrets of better technician preparation? In this episode, we join the hunt for Class 8 technicians. Host Michael Freeze speaks with Ken Boyer, Dean of the Auto/Diesel Institute and Diesel Services Program Director at Baker College and Ralph Romero, Vice President of Talent Management at US Xpress.

32 MINS

WD2: WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF TRAINING A COMMERCIAL DRIVER?

New approaches to diesel technician recruitment and retention may help you secure the best possible hires and secure your business investments. So, we ask, what are fleets doing to help attract that talent to join the changing workforce environment? Have tech training schools discovered the secrets of better technician preparation? In this episode, we join the hunt for Class 8 technicians. Host Michael Freeze speaks with Ken Boyer, Dean of the Auto/Diesel Institute and Diesel Services Program Director at Baker College and Ralph Romero, Vice President of Talent Management at US Xpress.

31 MINS

WD3: WHAT IS THE INDUSTRY DOING TO INCLUDE MORE WOMEN?

In this episode, we dive beneath the surface and discover the ways the trucking industry is trying to encourage women to pursue careers in both trucking and logistics. We ask, what are industry executives doing to help bring more women into the fold, not only as drivers, but in leadership roles? To get the clearest insight on the issue, host Mike Freeze talks with Ellen Voie, President and CEO of Women in Trucking and Debora Babin Katz, Vice President of TrucBrush Corporation. Although there is more pavement to cover, the road to more women in trucking is getting shorter and shorter. Tune in.

17 MINS

WD4: ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?

Over the past few episodes, we've had the chance to listen to the experiences of industry leaders and the strategies and planning that go into finding the right people for your workforce. With their insight, we unlocked numerous tips to keep your workforce functioning and profitable. So, this week, host Michael Freeze reviews the most important bullet points, from technician and driver training to incorporating diversity in both recruitment and retention. Tune in, and find your ideal workforce.

29 MINS

WD5: WHAT IS THE INDUSTRY DOING TO TRAIN AND PREPARE TRUCK DRIVERS?

Does incentivizing your drivers keep you up at night? Do you worry that competitive pay may not be enough? Would you be surprised to learn that cultivating successful benefits programs might be as easy as making sure your drivers are healthy, happy and prepared? In this episode, host Michael Freeze takes a look at the surprising ways trucking companies are building strong, resilient cultures and attracting talent that stays.

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27 MINS

WD6: HOW DOES THE INDUSTRY RECRUIT AND NURTURE WORKPLACE DIVERSITY?

As a recruiter in the industry, it’s getting more difficult to find the ample workforce needed to deliver the necessary goods nationwide. You’ve tried all the proper recruiting channels - upward mobility, compensation packages, exploring different professional pockets - but have you considered inclusion and diversity in your marketing approach? According to Shelley Dellinger, marketing at Cargo Transporters and Alphonso Lewis, ATA’s Road Team Captain and YRC Freight driver, diversity in recruitment methods are essential. In this episode, we find that including people of color and members of the LGBTQ community in your marketing approach may just be the key to a stronger and more affluent workforce.

17 MINS

HOW HAS COVID-19 ALTERED LOGISTICS PLANNING FOR THIS THANKSGIVING?

How has turkey to table changed this year? What obstacles are suppliers going through to get turkeys to the grocery stores? From safety regulations in meat packing factories to restaurants closed nationwide, fleets and suppliers have to pivot to stay afloat. Join us as we talk with J.J. Smith, President of Valley Proteins, about how staying open-minded and flexible helped his business of delivering turkeys persevere.

38 MINS

ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT: 2020 YEAR-IN-REVIEW PART TWO

In 2020, COVID strained business stability, yet trucking persevered. What were the greatest pain points? What were the biggest lessons? In this episode, we discuss the answers to these questions and cover everything from gas tax to remote work. With the help of our special guests, Seth Clevenger, Managing Editor, Features of Transport Topics and Eleanor Lamb, Transport Topics reporter, we’ll not only start to put the year of COVID in perspective for truckers, we’ll also begin to map a plan for 2021.

38 MINS

ROADSIGNS ROUNDABOUT: 2020 YEAR-IN-REVIEW PART ONE

In this special two-part year-in-review, we take off the COVID-19 glasses, and take a good look at the technology and regulatory developments that will help you and your business in 2021. From FMCSA updates that affected Hours of Service to software and equipment, 2020 offered a lot of “non-covid” industry improvements. To get the clearest vision of the upcoming year, we bring in Transport Topics Reporter, Eleanor Lamb and Managing Editor, Features, Seth Clevenger to talk about these advancements and how they will help you navigate 2021. Tune in.

36 MINS

WILL TECHNOLOGY CONVERGENCE STREAMLINE FLEET MANAGEMENT?

Adopt new tech, and you'll run a more efficient operation, but what happens when your trucking tech stack becomes unruly? With copious amounts of data sitting in different silos and redundant in-cab hardware, fleets are left scrambling. In this episode, we ask, how can we cut down on these redundancies? And what can be done to streamline fleet management practices? To get answers, we talk with Ray Greer, CEO of Omnitracs, which acquired SmartDrive last year in an effort to converge tech and improve user experience. Tune in to find out where trucking technology is heading in 2021.

39 MINS

HOW CAN FLEETS HARNESS DATA TO SAVE FUEL AND CUT EMISSIONS?

Sustainable trucking is here. A growing number of shippers, focused on reducing carbon emissions in their supply chains, are looking for more efficient freight transportation services. Federal and state clean air regulations only underscore that demand. Gone, though, are the days when going green simply meant added costs for truckers. In fact, in 2021, fleets may find more boon than burden. One key step is learning to harness and manage the data to reduce fuel consumption. In this episode, we'll talk to two major players in the transportation technology sector that are helping fleets move closer to total supply chain sustainability. Tune in.

35 MINS

HOW IS CONSOLIDATION RESHAPING TRUCKING'S TECHNOLOGY MARKET?

A long line of mergers and acquisitions have dramatically reshaped the trucking technology sector over the past decade. But what does this consolidation trend mean for the trucking and logistics companies that rely on these technologies? In this episode, Seth Clevenger speaks with James Langley, senior vice president at Trimble Transportation, on the modernization of tech stacks and how freight technology companies are coming together to reach a common end goal: making fleet operations more efficient. Tune in.

47 MINS

WILL MACHINE LEARNING POWER THE FUTURE OF TRUCKING SOFTWARE?

From nuclear verdicts to the driver shortage, modern trucking companies face serious challenges. But what if you could prevent accidents and driver turnover before they happen? In this episode, host Seth Clevenger speaks with two technology CEOs to discuss how machine learning can enable better business decisions and a more proactive stance on safety. Tune in and find out how you can mitigate risk before it's too late.

34 MINS

HOW IS TECHNOLOGY IMPROVING DRIVER SAFETY?

A safe driver is a productive driver, and a productive driver leads to better business. In order to keep business productive, fleets invest in tech-based safety tools that inform and forewarn potential risk. But, have you ever thought that it’s actually up to the drivers to heed those calls? Host, Michael Freeze has. And so, too, have many of the nation's truck fleet owners. So, how do you condition and prepare drivers to respond to tech-influenced safety alerts? Find out as the RoadSigns Team speaks with Tom DiSalvi, VP of Safety at Schneider National and Charlie Mohn, Director of Product Innovation, Drivewyze. Tune in.

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19 MINS

HOW HAS THE INDUSTRY'S EXECUTION OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION FARED THUS FAR?

When you think about COVID-19 vaccine strategy, vials and needles come to mind rather than supply chain portals and cargo visibility tools. That isn't the case for DHL's Larry St Onge and Jim Monkmeyer. Since before the pandemic, they set up strategies and implemented technology in order to respond to disruptions like COVID-19. Now, they know exactly how to get the vaccine from point A to point B – and, better, how to do it at a global scale. Tune in and find out how they made a nearly impossible task, possible.

29 MINS

WHAT CAN TRUCKING DO TO INCLUDE MORE DIVERSITY?

Finding a job in the trucking industry: You have the talent ambition and drive, but how can you get in the right room? In front of the right people? People of color are asking themselves these questions more often than not. Currently, only 14.3% of the truck driver population is made up of African Americans, followed by 13% Hispanic, and 7% Asian. In this episode, host Michael Freeze wonders what industry leaders are doing to increase those percentages in driving roles, leadership positions, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Turns out, it has a lot to do with being in the right room at the right time, but who is opening those doors? Find out, as we talk to two trucking industry experts who have implemented their own practices that are contributing to a more diverse work community.

39 MINS

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING A REALITY?

Have you been imagining a driverless future where the machines do all the work and humans watch? You might be in for a surprise. Even at Level 4 autonomy, self-driving trucks will have technical limitations. They will be designed for specific applications that are best suited to automation. They’ll also require industry buy-in and public acceptance. In this episode, we ask how technology developers are clearing those hurdles to make autonomous trucking a reality. And how might the trucking industry improve safety and efficiency by combining automation and human labor in the future? To find out, we bring in Boris Sofman, head of engineering for the autonomous trucking program at Waymo. Tune in and learn more about the road ahead for self-driving trucks.

32 MINS

HOW IS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ADVANCING TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY?

Next-level technologies hold the potential to enhance safety and efficiency in the transportation industry, but it takes a lot of work behind the scenes to advance these ideas from concept to reality. In many cases, that process involves industrialists, entrepreneurs and leading university researchers coming together to rethink common practices and put emerging technologies to the test. At the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon, principal project scientist Christoph Mertz cultivates predictive road maintenance technology to ease the pain of potholes and basic infrastructure roadblocks. Meanwhile, at the University of Michigan, Huei Peng leads the MCity consortium to support the development of automated and connected vehicle technology. Tune in to find out how they are paving the way for the technologies of the future.

32 MINS

ELECTRIC TRUCK ARE HERE, BUT HOW QUICKLY WILL THEY TAKE OFF?

The year is 2039. Zero-emission, electric heavy-duty trucks roll past you on the highway. Charging ports are now commonplace at terminals and truck stops. Diesel powered vehicles are becoming a thing of the past. You sit and wonder: how did we get here?
The answer is complex and involves the convergence of several key factors, including a society-wide push to improve environmental sustainability, major advances in electric-vehicle technology, fleet participation in vehicle testing and development, broad investments in charging infrastructure and a holistic approach to the entire electric ecosystem that captured imaginations at the right time. Here, in 2021, Daimler Trucks North America's head of eMobility speaks to RoadSigns. Tune in.

32 MINS

HOW IS THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY APPROACHING THE CONTINUAL ISSUE OF TRUCK PARKING?

The story of a crowded parking lot: slow stops, the lack of reserved spots, and the race to an empty space. We've all been there, but what if the lack of a parking spot had an effect on how well you did your job? Or, even made it hard for you to fill basic human needs - like eating or sleeping? When the pandemic started, drivers faced crowded parking lots, closed rest areas, and minimal road side support. And now, almost a year and a half later, they still face the fear of not finding a place to park, which means having no place to rest. In this episode, host Michael Freeze seeks answers to this wearying question from those on the forefront of research and legislative action.